Throw in a very capable career and franchise mode, a super fun Home Run Derby, an excellent online option with plenty of peripheral support, and a ton of customization options, and you have the perfect successor to the "High Heat" series.

MLB's fielding model exhibits smooth animations and transitions into secondary animations. Guys throw across their body, take their crow hops, and dig balls out of the dirt. It's all über-realistic looking and complements the pitcher/batter duel perfectly.

It hits hard thanks to a robust single-player package, decent online content, and a smart pitching scheme, while a dated batting system, bad fielding model and relatively high price tag ($40 versus $20 for MLB 2K5 and $30 for MVP 2005) prevent it from entering a league of its own.

Consider that this 989 Sports franchise has undergone the biggest three-year improvement since Barry Bonds went from 34 to 49 to 73 homeruns in a three year span. MLB seems insistent to keep its totals skyrocketing.

MLB 2006 places such a huge emphasis on the cat-and-mouse battle between pitcher and batter that it will delight those looking for the subtle strategies in each at-bat and will likely annoy those who just want to hack away.

Builds on a good engine from last year to produce a solid sim with few gameplay flaws, but it lacks the gimmicks, presentation, and general fireworks the other games have to bring it to the next level. [Apr 2005, p.110]

989 has done a tremendous job improving MLB this year, seemingly making two years worth of progress in just one. There’s no question if you want to manage every aspect of a franchise, that MLB is the best game for you.

It’s professionally made, both in controls and appearance, and if you like the sport, it’s easy to say that you’ll appreciate the amount of detail that’s been taken in the game (down to the grass and dirt stains on the jerseys.)

While I typically do not give a whole lot of credit for sports game that cram worn out music tracks, I have to admit the MLB 2006 sound track is pretty diverse in terms of music styles, which is good for representing a player's at-bat music.

The new Pitcher Confidence Meter adds a psychological twist: paint the corners a few times, and your control grows sharper...but if you're consistently outside, your insecurity will sink you—just like in the bedroom!

The on-field play is excellent, with a pitching model that’s unmatched, and “Career Mode” is a completely new take on the standard sports gaming franchise/season gameplay, and I expect to see more publishers introducing similar modes.

I love the game-play but the throwing is dicey and the batting is uncomfortable. Why not use the left analog stick for batting control since I love the game-play but the throwing is dicey and the batting is uncomfortable. Why not use the left analog stick for batting control since you have to use X or square to hit with?…Full Review »

johnminerva

Jul 20, 2005

10

mlb 2006 was the greatest game until i farted it smelt so bad that the game broke. billberries were flying everywhere so i past out because itmlb 2006 was the greatest game until i farted it smelt so bad that the game broke. billberries were flying everywhere so i past out because it smelt soooooooooooo bad i woke up a week later and found out billberries come from the foreign green plum mixed together with a weird blend of red grapes and ummm..............................and wait 1 sec (laughter in backround) blue green....... blue green (more laughter) blue green b..banapples which come from apples and bananas…Full Review »

BrandonC.

Jul 19, 2005

10

This game has many great ways to play. The game deserves a 10 because it is tastier than any other billberries games. This game is theThis game has many great ways to play. The game deserves a 10 because it is tastier than any other billberries games. This game is the tastiest. Mmmm. Billberries! Billberries come from japan and are made out of green grapes and sour plums! Happy playing and billberries day to all! Now you know what billberries are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…Full Review »